Step-ladder.



F. J. CARONIA.

STEP LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17. 1914.

mwwwm v Patented Apr. 113, 1915.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' 1H1"; iiiiillllllilllllll l WITNESSES 1: "mm"; r. A 00.. PHOTO-LITHO WASHINGTON. D. c.

F. J. CARONIA.

STEP LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17. m4.

2 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

AITOHIVEVS THE NORRIS PETERS C0,. FHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, D. C

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

. FRANKJOSEPLI GARONIA, OF NEW YORK, N. I.

STEP-LADDER.

Application filed March 17, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, FRANK JOSEPH CA- RONIA, a subject of the King of Italy, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Step-Ladder, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved step ladder provided with side braces for steadying the step ladder sidewise, and arranged to permit of conveniently folding the side braces when folding the usual leg frame onto the back of the ladder. In order to accomplish the desired result, use is made of side braces hinged to the cross pieces on the top of the ladder, and links pivotally connected with said side braces and with the forward members of the connecting sectional braces connecting the ladder with the leg frame.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a perspective view of the step ladderwith the rear leg frame and thebraces in extended position Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with part of the ladder partly in section; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the step ladder with the rear leg frame and the side braces in folded position; Fig. 4: is an enlarged plan view of the connection of one of the links of a side brace with the connecting brace; Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of the same on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and with part broken out; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the step ladder with the parts in folded position.

The side braces A are used for steadying a step ladder in a sidewise direction, the step ladder being of the usual construction and having a ladder B provided at its upper end with cross pieces B, a top shelf 18 and a leg frame C pivotally connected at its upper end to the cross pieces B and pivotally connected by sectional connecting braces D with the side rails B of the ladder B. The upper end of each side brace A. is connected by a hinge E with the corresponding cross piece B to permit of swinging the brace A either into the extended position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or into the folded position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6, that is, alongside the corresponding side rail B of the ladder Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented Apr. 13, Jltl1l5.

Serial No. 825,294.

B. Each side brace A is piv'otally connected by a link F with a hinge G secured to the forward member D of the corresponding connecting brace D nearest to the ladder B, so that when the connecting braces D are opened and the leg frame C is swung forwardly into folded position then a forward swinging movement'is given to the side braces A to fold the same onto the side rails B of the ladder B. When the leg frame C is swung from its folded position rear wardly into extended position then the connecting links D swing into extended position and in doing so the links F are caused to swing outward thereby imparting a swinging motion to the side braces A to swing the latter into extended position with a view to steady the step ladder sidewise. In order to limit each link F from swinging too far in a rearward direction, use is made of a stop F formed on the link and adapted to abut against the face of the forward member D of the connecting brace D, as plainly indicated in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. It is understood that the forward member D of each connecting brace D is connected by a pivot D with the rear member D of the connecting brace, and the said rear member D is provided with an angular flange D adapted to abut against the rear end of the member D so as to hold the members D and D from swinging accidentally upward into an open position.

It will be noticed that the side braces A can be readily attached to step ladders of ordinary construction as now generally found in the market, and it is only necessary to attach the hinge E of a side brace A to the cross piece 13 and to attach the hinge G of the link F to the forward member D of the corresponding connecting brace D.

Although side brace A. is shown for each side of the step ladder, it is evident that one of the said braces may be omitted if desired.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a step ladder, the combination of a ladder, a leg frame pivotally connected with the upper portion of the ladder to swing rearwardly into supporting position or forwardly into folded position, a sectional connecting brace connecting the said ladder with the said leg frame, asidebracepivotally connected at its upper end with the upper portion of the said ladder, a link pivotally connecting the said side brace with one member of the said connecting brace nearest the ladder and a stop on the said link engaging the latter brace member to limit the swinging motion of the said link. i

2; A step ladder attachment, comprising a side brace, a hinge at the upper end of the said brace and adapted to be attached to thepupper part of the step ladder, a link pivotally connected With the said side brace to swing up and down, and a hinge on the said brace and adapted to be attached to one of the members of the connecting brace of the step ladder.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FRANK JOSEPH CARONIA.

Witnesses:

THEO. G. HosTnR, PHILIP D. ROLLHAUS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, I). 0. 

